Ed Snyder began this blog in order to share his decade-long experience with all things cemeterial. As a photographer specializing in images of cemetery statuary, I've run into some interesting people, had some unexplainable experiences, and had a lot of fun.

Monday, July 18, 2016

Comic book creator Scott Larsen has a unique and interesting
idea. It is one I would like to share with my Cemetery Traveler readers.

Back in the winter of 2015-16, I saw a few of Scott's posts on
Instagram. They involved graphic art drawings of cemeteries, so I
became intrigued. Scott’s comic book project, Visitations, was created and drawn by
him, the writing shared with Len Strazewski. It is set in crime-ridden Victorian-era
Chicago. Gracehill Cemetery, a fictitious Victorian graveyard in that city,
plays a central role in Visitations. Scott has drawn his versions of actual
monuments in actual Chicago cemeteries. Some of them come to life! It’s a
fabulous idea. Other real Chicago locations are drawn into the story.

"Gracehill is a fictional cemetery based on Graceland and
Rosehill cemeteries in Chicago. Both are resting places for many of the city of
Chicago founders. Rosehill is in the neighborhood I grew up in and my Great
Grandfather is buried there. I recently learned that my Great Great
grandparents, who were immigrants from Sweden are buried in Graceland. Working
on a genealogy project for my family I went to see their graves and was
astounded by the monuments that were in the cemetery. Around this same time I
was looking for a new project to work on. The characters, some of whom are
based on the monuments, and the plot for the first issue came to me in a dream
after I had visited and the story progressed from there."

Scott was gracious enough to send me some photos of himself
with some of the monuments he has drawn for Visitations. Maybe my readers recognize some of them? For a good introduction to Visitations, let me quote from
Scott’s Indiegogo fundraiser site:

What is Visitations?

"Visitations is a story of Chicago, as witnessed through the
eyes of characters residing in the city's oldest cemetery. It's part historical
fact, part fantasy horror, and part adventure. As the narrative unfolds, the
history of Chicago unfolds as well. From the Great Fire of 1871 to the election
of President Barack Obama, Visitations tells a tale of rebirth and the growth
of a modern metropolis.

Meet Clayton Blackwood, magician and adventurer living in
Chicago at the turn of the century. Blackwood and his ghostly group of friends
believe they have successfully robbed crime boss Diamond Jim Colosimo of a
cursed object. Little do they know they have the wrong talisman. When a
mysterious stranger from Blackwood's past unleashes the horror they were trying
to prevent throughout the city, this group of apparitions must leave the safe
confines of the cemetery in which they reside and face their worst nightmares."

Scott Larson with one of the monuments he drew into his story

Earlier I mentioned Scott’s fundraising site on Indiegogo. What’s
that all about? Issue #1 of Visitations was, for a limited time, available as a
free download. A hard copy was also available (for $6, including shipping).
However, Issue #2, due out at Halloween 2016, will be a bit more elusive. It’s
creation was dependent upon Scott raising $3500 to cover the cost of
publishing.

Crowdfunding websites like GoFundMe and Indiegogo may not
be such a novel concept in this day and age, but I have to give Scott Larson
credit for making this work. People are typically not willing to give you money
to fund a project unless they believe in what you’re doing. Scott successfully funded
Issue #2 of Visitations this way. He met his $3500 goal.

Gothic architecture never looked so good!

Scott sent me a copy of Issue #1 and it was great fun
reading. Its basically to introduce us to all the characters (check out the
links at the end to learn more). Now, how would you cemetery enthusiasts
out there like to be drawn into Scott’s next comic?! Scott offered, in his Indiegogo
campaign, that for contributions over a certain amount (see link for details),
he would draw you in as your choice of a cemetery monument or ghost in Issue #2! I donated some money to fund it, so with any luck, I’ll
end up a ghost so that I may forever haunt my enemies (one of my secret desires).

How can someone purchase or download a copy of Issue #1
at this point?

"Anyone who would like to read a digital copy can contact me
by email at visitationscomicbook@gmail.com. I'll send that person a PDF of the
issue for FREE.

Print copies are currently SOLD OUT. There will be a second
printing coming soon. A first print can still be found in 2 Chicago comic
shops:

Graham Crackers Comics ( Chicago Loop location) 312-629-1810

Chicago Comics 773-528-1983

Supplies are limited and once they are gone there are no
more."

How do you share the writing with Len Strazewski?

"Len is acting as a creative consultant so far. I'm doing the
writing and he's helping with the dialogue. He has really helped with the
development of the characters. When I took the story to him to get his opinion
and he developed the backgrounds and origins for each on the spot (I had no
clue what the histories were since the first story came from my
unconsciousness). His favorite character is The Entertainer (the headless man)
and Len has a story that he will be writing for him that has ties to present
day Chicago."

Visitations comic book creator Scott Larson

I hope you will join Scott Larson in his Visitations
adventure! Please follow Scott at these links: